Careers in Administrative Assisting/Office Technology

Administrative assistants and office professionals provide many skills that are essential for the smooth operations of large and small offices in private industry, education, and the public sector. Skilled administrative assistants and office professionals respond to telephone, written, electronic and in-person inquiries. They arrange meetings, organize events, arrange travel, and may perform some limited bookkeeping, payroll, and accounting functions. The variety and range of job duties are related to the size of the organization and the level of specialized skills and experience of the administrative assistant or office professional. Those with significant experience, for example, may work as office or project managers. The employment outlook for careers in this field is good. The California Employment Development Department projects a significant increase exceeding 10% in the number of opportunities for administrative assistants and executive secretaries by 2012 (Source: California EDD Labor Market Info www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov).

Necessary Education and Skills for Career Success

Employers report a growing need for a workforce of experienced administrative assistants and office professionals. Individuals interested in careers in this field should be proficient in the use of computers, standard office equipment, and a wide array of software applications (i.e. word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, e-mail, and computerized scheduling programs). Administrative assistants and office professionals should have good written and verbal communications skills, work well under pressure with frequent interruptions, and be comfortable working with many different personalities.

General Info About the Program

De Anza College offers certificate and degree programs that prepare individuals for employment using administrative assisting and office technology skills. These programs provide training in computer software applications, office procedures and workplace communication skills.

Administrative Assistant/Office Technology Certificate and Degree Programs

The following links open in .pdf.

Certificates of Achievement:

• Administrative Assistant/Office Technology

Certificates of Achievement-Advanced:

• Administrative Assistant/Office Technology

Associate Degrees (A.A.):

• Administrative Assistant/Office Technology

More information about the Computer Applications and Office Systems Department

Business and Computer Systems Division
De Anza L14
408.864.8796.8797
http://caos.deanza.edu/